Giving a facelifting to my 323i

[theorfander]

I was flipping through the channels last night and stumbled across a show on spike TV where an old 1997 GMC was getting a face-lift to look more like a 2000 Cadillac Escalade. After watching with amazement, I got the idea of converting my 2000 323i to look more like the 2004 330xi.

I’ve done some research and discovered that I could buy all the parts I would need for my 323i for under $1,500. The only problem is that I don’t have a 330xi to compare my 323i with.

So my question to everyone out there is, does anyone know if there is any mechanical difference to the 330xi compared to my 323 (besides the obvious differences). For example I know that the headlights have to be wired differently then my 323. But I was wondering if anyone knew anything else besides that?

[woobiee]

im 100% it will run you atleast $1500...unless you are buying at unbelievable low prices are used.

from the top of my head youll need:

-new headlamps ($500-1200)
-new fenders + paint ($400-1000)
-new side markers ($30)
-new hood + paint ($400-800)
-new grilles ($60-90)
-new bumper & accessories + paint ($300-700)
-new brake ducts ($100-200)
-*maybe loose/extra stuff (say $200)
-labor ($$ a good amount)

you're looking at a good $2000-$5000 job (this is just for looks only). Im not sure if there are mechanical differences.

**^^ thats only for the front.

Everywhere else:

-back bumper + paint ($200-500)
-side skirts + paint ($200-500)
-tail lights ($250-320)
-antenna fin (under $100)

[theorfander]

Ya, now that you mention the side skirts and antenna fin I think your right. I was also not calculating the cost of the hood because I had thought that they were the same between models.

I looked up some prices and here they are without tax and shipping:

-Used headlamps are $400.00 even
-new fenders without paint: 319.90
-new side markers are $31.90
-new hood & grilles without paint is 218.95
-new bumper price is unknown
-new brake ducts are unknown (do I really need them? I’m just changing the body)
-We will keep the loose/extra stuff at $200

-For the labor issue, I have a friend who owns a automotive electrical shop who said he would help me do up the electrical, as for everything else I think it would be an interesting project to do on my own.


The back prices are:

-back bumper is unknown
-side skirts are unknown
-All four-tail lights are $289.80
-antenna fin is unknown


So the total price without some of the big missing items is $1,460.55

[woobiee]

brake ducts are super important. but considering they are $200 or so, its worth while to get them.

each bumper are designed differently so brake ducts are crucial for cooling your brakes. if you dont drive hard at all, i 'guess' its okay not to have them but i strongly recommend them